2011.10.5

2011.10.5

1. Halloween. I already have two parents asking about coming in to decorate the classroom. Also have parents asking about costumes. I stated that fourth grade had an alternate plan and would get back to them as soon as we had it worked out. I said "no" to the idea of decorating my classroom. (Cheryl) **4 stations 15 min in each classroom 12:15-1:30** Cheryl--- Fall Haiku Gina fall Math Kelley -- Fall Problem Solving Ren --- Fall Science After PE classes, we will meet in the gathering space for popcorn, apples, and water. Ren will do a "fall" read aloud. Children are invited to wear fall colors: brown, green, yellow, red, orange They may come dressed in these colors, wear jeans. We met with Karen Elliot and shared our idea of a fall celebration. She was supportive and will act as a conduit to parents. Cheryl emailed Karen and asked her to notify room parents of the snack We drafted a short note to send to families about the inclusive celebration and will send it home on Friday after meeting with and sharing this new inititiave with the fourth graders.
 * FALL ACTIVITIES in place of a traditional Halloween party/afternoon.**
 * Some of our brainstorming ideas were:**
 * We would eliminate costumes and instead, focus on the theme of fall. We thought about taking an hour out of the afternoon and sharing with all of the children in four stations (rooms). ****We strive to be __inclusive__ in fourth grade and if children cannot participate in a Halloween celebration because of cultural or religious reasons, that is being __exclusive__, and that is not our philosophy.**
 * **four stations in four different rooms -- math, reading, problem solving, puzzles, all related to fall (not focused on HALLOWEEN).**
 * **CHILDREN WILL NOT LOSE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME WITH THIS NEW MODEL.**
 * **Treat – popcorn and apples (healthy, easy, fall related)**
 * **If we must give children the options of costumes, why not have each classroom brainstorm ideas of an article of clothing or color related to fall? **

2. Milwaukee Tour - share information This was done in our curr planning time period.

3. Junior Achievement (Economics Strand for Social Studies) Barbara Klocko, Senior Operations Manager with Junior Achievement, visited with the Lower School Social Studies Committe and Pam Nosbusch. She presented information about the traditional JA curriculum, grades SK - 5, as well as information about BizTown and Finance Park. We learned that the traditional curriculum in grades SK - 2 has five 30 minute lessons and grades 3-5 has five 45 minute lessons. Volunteers teach the lessons and the classroom teacher provides discipline and management. BizTown is a program geared towards grade 4 to 6. We are interested in visiting BizTown while students are present. Sarah determined that BizTown and Mini Society are very similar and is intereseted in looking into it for the third grade. There is flexibilty within the JA curriculum. Barbara is sending over JA kits for Grades SK-5. The social studies team will meet again when the kits arrive to review the contents of the kits. Recommendations will be made at that time. Cheryl shared some unique and exciting opportunities for fourth grade and we are interested.

4. New reading series information (Kelley) Kelley gave an indept presentation.

5. Smart Board activities for everyday math ﻿We clarified some lessons.